Former Lokomotiv Moscow footballer Dmitry Tarasov now plays in the Russian Premier League for Zenit St. Petersburg. He offered his view on the upcoming clash between Zenit and Spartak Moscow, sharing his thoughts with RB Sports. Tarasov described the match as a historic derby and weighed in on likely outcomes, noting that Zenit could clinch the title while Spartak would push hard to avoid defeat in this high-stakes showdown.
The Russian Premier League fixture is scheduled for 7 May during the 26th round, with St. Petersburg hosting Spartak. The kickoff is set for 18:00 Moscow time. A Zenit victory would move the club closer to securing the 2022/23 championship well before the final whistle of the season, further widening the gap at the top of the table.
Zenit currently holds a significant lead over second-placed Rostov, with an 11-point cushion. In the most recent round, Valery Karpin’s team suffered a surprising defeat to Fakel Voronezh, a result that added extra texture to the title race and offered a glimmer of opportunity to pursuers chasing a table-topping Zenit side.
Also sharing their expectations ahead of the Zenit vs Spartak match, former Spartak Moscow player Valery Kechinov spoke about the likely dynamics of the showdown in the Russian Premier League, highlighting the tactical battles and the pressure of a derby that always carries extra weight for the clubs and their fans. Analysts and fans alike are watching to see how the teams respond to the high temperatures of a contest that could shape the championship narrative for the season and set the tone for the rest of the campaign, according to reports from RB Sports and other outlets.